South Africa beat Sri Lanka in Super Over thriller

South Africa’s veteran leg-spinner Imran Tahir conceded only five runs in a decisive super over as they beat Sri Lanka in their opening Twenty20 International on Tuesday after both teams had finished their innings with the same score.

Air Force, Navy fleet not replenished in four years: MS

President Maithripala Sirisena told the Cabinet meeting yesterday that the fleet of military vessels of the Air Force and Navy had not been replenished for the past four years because of objections raised whenever any procurement was to be made.

Forensic audit on CB bond scam - Cabinet calls for report on selecting experts

The Cabinet yesterday decided to a call for a report within three months on the steps taken to select international experts for a forensic audit on the Central Bank bond scam.

Tabs for primary and secondary students in future: Akila

Steps will be taken to provide tabs to primary and secondary students to help their studies in the future, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said at Rathnalankara Maha Vidyalaya in Giriulla.

Bandula says Budget debate violating SOs

The committee stage debate on the Budget is continuing in Parliament in violation of Standing Order 121, UPFA MP Bandula Gunawardene said today.

Vacancies for two hangmen - 79 applicants to be interviewed

Seventy nine candidates from the 102 applicants have been selected for interviews for the Hangman’s Post, Prisons Commissioner General Jayasiri Vijayanath Tennakoon said today.

No UNHRC resolutions against SL since 2015: Mangala

In response to Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa calling for the withdrawal of Sri Lanka’s co-sponsorship to the UNHRC resolution, Finace Minister Mangala Samaraweera said today there was no resolution against Sri Lanka in the UNHRC since 2015, but those, adopted since then, were to work together with the country’s partner nations in the world so that its citizens benefitted from the best expertise in the world.

Govt. and Opp. MPs pressure Excise Dept. to issue licenses to Aloysius’ distillery

JVP MP Nalinda Jayatissa said today that some government and opposition MPs were pressuring Excise Department officials to grant licenses to a distillery owned by Arjuna Aloysius to extract toddy from 38,000 coconut trees in Beruwala.

Trishaw driver who made sexual gestures to woman remanded

A trishaw driver who had made sexual gestures to a woman who was driving a car on March 15, was remanded till April 1, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara told Daily Mirror today.

N’cholai breakdown: Generator still to be connected

Although the cause for the shutting down of the unit-2 generator at the Norochcholai coal power plant has been identified, it is still to be synchronised with the system which will cause power failures in several areas, Ministry of Power and Energy said today.

AIADMK manifesto included int’l probe on SL civil war

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in its manifesto for the upcoming Indian Lok Sabha polls, had stated that it would urge the centre government to call for an international probe into alleged war crimes during the civil war in the north in Sri Lanka, Times Now News agency reported.

Protesting Uni. students tear-gassed

Police fired tear gas and used water cannons to disperse protesting students outside the University Grants Commission (UGC) a short while ago, police said.

BC withdraws four cases against Johnston

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today discharged MP Johnston Fernando from the four cases filed by the Bribery Commission in connection with the non-declaration of assets.

Protestors block Matara train: demand bamboo gates back

A Matara bound train from Kandy had been blockaded by a group of protesters at the Abeygunawardana Crossing in Matara, the control room said.

Lotus Road closed due to protest

The Galle Face Road from NSA Roundabout to Lotus Road in Colombo has been temporarily closed due to a protest carried out against the Aruwakkalu Garbage Recycling Plant in Puttalam, the Police said.

Nalaka de Silva further remanded

Former DIG of the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID), Nalaka de Silva was further remanded until March 26 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate today.

OIC & PC arrested for aiding treasure hunting

OIC of the Echchanmkulam Police Station in Vavuniya, IP Subhash Kumara Ariyaratne and a police constable have been arrested on charges of aiding treasure hunting in Vavuniya, police said.

Karannagoda arrives at CID for the third day

Former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this morning, for the third day, to give a statement over the disappearance of 11 youth in 2008-2009.

Ministers using cocaine: Ranjan undertook a govt. contract - Gammanpila

While claiming that State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake’s recent remarks on cocaine being used by several ministers, were baseless, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Leader Udaya Gammanpila said it was a contract given by the Government to the State Minister.

Sagala slams Wimal’s allegation

Ports and Shipping Minister Sagala Rathnayake refuted the allegation levelled by MP Wimal Weerawansa that a branch of the United States’ Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) had been established at Temple Trees.

‘Raththaran’ resigns from SPC

UPFA Southern Provincial Council member Krishantha Pushpakumara, alias ‘Raththaran’, resigned from the post today.

S’pore should clearly state whether Mahendran is there or not: Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena today faulted the Singaporean Government of not making a clear and open statement as to whether the main respondent in the Central Bank bond scam was in the country.

Amend Shop and Office Employees Act: Seneviratne

Former Trade Union Relations Minister and MP W.D.J. Seneviratne today called for the amendment of the Shop and Office Employees Act.

UPFA demands Rs.2,500 salary hike for private sector

In line with the salary increment granted to public sector employees, the government should take adequate measures to increase the salaries of those in the private sector at least by Rs.2,500 per month, UPFA MP Gamini Lokuge told Parliament today.

Met Dept. warns of showers exceeding 100mm

Thunderstorms are expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-Western and Central Provinces and in the Galle, Matara and Badulla Districts, the Meteorology Department said today.

Ratgama businessmen killing: Eight suspects arrested

The Criminal Investigation Department (CD) had arrested eight suspects this evening over the abduction and killing of two businessmen from Rathgama, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

1 dead, several injured in Netherlands shooting

At least one person has died and a number of people injured in a shooting ’with possible terrorist motive’ in the central Dutch city of Utrecht on Monday morning, local news reports.

Jananath Warakagoda released on bail

Popular artiste Jananath Warakagoda who was in remanded custody over an accident in which a woman was killed at Kirillawela, was released on bail by the Mahara Magistrate today.

Nagananda Kodituwakku barred from practising law

The Supreme Court today issued a restraining order against Nagananda Kodituwakku preventing him from practising as an attorney for three years.

Heavy Traffic at Ward Place

Heavy traffic was reported at the Ward Place in the Town Hall area due to a protest launched by ETI Finance Limited (ETI) depositors.